By Tola Gbadamosi

To enhance public awareness and promote accountability within Nigeria’s policing system, the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, popularly known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), organised a media town hall meeting in Lagos.

Supported by the UK Integrated Security Fund under the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), the event brought together journalists, civil society leaders, and key stakeholders from the southwestern geopolitical zone.

The town hall is part of PWAN’s broader project, Enhancing Police Governance: Deepening Understanding of the Police Act 2020 and Regulations Across Nigeria, which seeks to address gaps in the Act’s application and enforcement.

The initiative spans key states, including Lagos, Kano, Plateau, Borno, Edo, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Delivering a statement on behalf of PWAN Executive Director Ms ’Kemi Okenyodo, Communications Officer Ogechiko Oli Mohanye emphasised the importance of public and media engagement in security governance.

“This project is about ensuring Nigerians are aware of their rights under the Police Act 2020, including key provisions on stop-and-search, bail procedures, and interrogations. Such knowledge is crucial to fostering transparency, accountability, and trust between law enforcement agencies and the public,” Mohanye explained, adding that the effort aligns with PWAN’s broader mandate to strengthen the Rule of Law, Citizens’ Security, and civil society organisations (CSOs).

During the town hall meeting, participants delved into the provisions of the Police Act, described as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s security reforms.

“The Act aims to reshape police-citizen interactions with an emphasis on human rights.” Discussions highlighted the media’s crucial role in promoting responsible reporting, particularly on sensitive issues such as arrests, stop-and-search operations, and profiling.

“The meeting sought to educate media practitioners and the public on the Act’s provisions while encouraging responsible, rights-based reporting to foster accountability within law enforcement,” Mohanye stated.

She further highlighted how the initiative seeks to close gaps in public awareness regarding human rights and key provisions, including stop-and-search operations, bail, and interrogation procedures.

Mohanye stressed that understanding these provisions is vital for fostering accountability and respect for human rights. She noted, for example, that police officers require a warrant to conduct searches on private property—an often-overlooked aspect of the Act.

Urging the government to ensure full implementation and compliance with the Act, she called for broader public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their roles and responsibilities in enforcing the law.

Participants explored strategies to bridge gaps in understanding and implementing the Act across the country, with an emphasis on collaboration between stakeholders to ensure the success of these reforms.

The meeting encouraged active engagement and perspective-sharing, reinforcing the initiative’s goal of empowering communities and law enforcement to build mutual respect and accountability.

PWAN reiterated its commitment to advancing police governance and promoting human rights, expressing gratitude to the UK Integrated Security Fund for its support. As the project progresses, the organisation remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen trust and transparency in security governance.

Legal facilitator Precious Osinahu highlighted several groundbreaking provisions in the Police Act, including the establishment of a tenured administration for the Inspector-General of Police, a commitment to community policing and the protection of human rights, and gender-sensitive measures designed to eliminate discrimination within the police force and in its dealings with the public.

“The Police Act provides a robust framework for transforming the relationship between the police and society. However, achieving its full potential requires a concerted, cross-sectoral approach involving the government, media, civil society, and citizens,” Osinahu stated.

The event underscored the critical role of the media in amplifying awareness of the Act and driving reforms.

Participants discussed the media’s responsibility in promoting rights-based reporting and ensuring that issues like arrests, stop-and-search operations, and profiling are handled with sensitivity and accuracy.

Speakers also called for sustained political will to translate the Act’s provisions from paper to practice.

“For reforms to succeed, we need a government committed to upholding the law and providing the necessary structures to enforce it,” Osinahu noted.

Participants were encouraged to actively engage with the Act and advocate for its implementation.

Discussions stressed the need for ongoing education to empower communities and foster mutual respect between law enforcement and citizens.

PWAN expressed gratitude to its partners for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed its dedication to promoting transparency, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s security sector.

As the town hall concluded, attendees voiced optimism that the knowledge shared would pave the way for a more informed and cooperative relationship among the police, media, and public, fostering a culture of peace and accountability in Nigeria.